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TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Diary 10: Sept. 16,
2000
The
final day -- what a wonderful, wonderful festival. Met up with good friends and
people I hadn't seen in a year, saw some pretty wonderful films.
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WILD ZERO DIRECTOR TETSURO TAKEUCHI IN LEATHER
PANTS! |
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I took the day in a fairly easy manner - spent much of it
eating sushi and siting at the café.
Did manage to squeeze in three
films. I was graciously invited to the closing night gala, which took place
this year at the skydome. I chose, of course, to skip it in favour of the
penultimate midnight madness screening. Colin was in top form here, saving the
best for last.
The crowd was wowed by Wild Zero, the perfect Asian-rock
'n' roll-gender-bending-zombie film to end the fest with. Questions led to a
possible sequel, and the director admitted that he'd spent all his money making
the first one. I decided to take my last $20 and walked on stage, handed it to
him, bowed, and walked away.
This would have been less silly if the bank machines weren't
screwed up last night.
Still, in the end, the film was certainly worth
it - I only hope I get an appropriate producer's
credit.
After went to Bistro 'till about 4:30, hanging out after a bit with
TETSURO, Colin the MM programmer, Anton from Aint-it-cool, and a bunch of other
people. Decided to hitch a taxi to some after hours stint. Amusing to see "MTV
Man" get down with his bad self on the dancefloor. He insisted on getting pics
with my digital camera.
Got home at around 7am on Sunday, just in time to wake up for the
awards brunch at the 4 Seasons. I was ecstatic that George Washington was recognized for best film by a
new filmmaker. Said some quick goodbyes, gave a few hugs, and came home for a
well deserved nap.
Forty-four films in ten days. Not bad at all.
I could get
used to this...
HOW TO KILL YOUR NEIGHBOUR'S
DOG
Directed by: Michael Kalesniko
Kenneth Branagh
stars in this affable film that, while it plays out well, feels out of place in
a film festival filled with wild and crazy movies. It is, perhaps, a perfect
closing gala film, likeable and not challenging, with a few good laughs thrown
in. After all, those with tix to the closing film rarely like challenging films
in the first place. They are often too worried about waiting to see who's
hiding in the VIP section at the party afterwards.
The answer, of
course, is usually nobody interesting.
The movie pits the playwright
Branagh and his tap-teaching, baby-wanting wife with a young girl that moves
next door. While the scenario certainly could have been downright fatuous, it
all kind of works - mostly due to the fact that the child's performance is
quite good, and there is actually chemistry between the leads and her when they
interact. Furthermore, the film is peppered with witticisms that make you
occasionally distracted from the plot.
This is an agreeable but hardly
challenging film, a movie perfect for a night by the fire when you want to curl
up and relax.
And, keeping with a running element of the film, I am, in
actuality, listening to Petula Clark on CD while I write this.
Grade:
B-
Wild Zero
Directed by: Tesuro
Takeuchi
Wild Zero is an insane, gender bending, rock ‘n
roll Japanese ninja movie that is, quite frankly, one of the coolest films at
this year's fest. It has to be seen to be believed, as this
Zen-Buddhist/Romero/Ramones road-movie blasts its way at full volume. The film
is a showcase for the band Guitar Wolf, a strange punk band with magical powers
and a kickin' groove. Heads actually do explode as this ultimate midnight
madness film lives up to the name of the program. Magnificent
fun.
Grade: A
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